Earlier this month, I had the privilege of attending Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings’ 2025 State of the County address at the Orange County Convention Center. The address was a dynamic showcase of civic progress, community strength, and regional innovation. One of the most insightful segments came from Dr. Jeff Williamson, Communications Director for Orange County Government, who emphasized how education is shaping the region’s economic and leadership future.

Purpose-Driven Education in Action

Dr. Williamson’s presentation featured three local universities that exemplify values-based learning in practice:

1. Florida State University (FSU) Orlando Regional Campus – offering immersive medical training with a service-driven admissions process.
   
2. Florida A&M University (FAMU) College of Law – providing civic justice, elder law, and entrepreneurial support to residents.
   
3. University of Central Florida (UCF) Downtown Campus – embedding internships and clinical partnerships across 90% of student experiences.  

The message was clear: Orange County’s approach to education includes purpose, service, and connection to community.

At FSU’s Orlando Regional Campus, applicants are selected for their clarity of purpose and demonstrated community service. Most graduates remain in Central Florida, contributing to healthcare leadership in fields like family medicine and neurosurgery. FAMU’s legal programming empowers the local community by providing access to justice and supporting small business development. At UCF Downtown, hands-on learning is deeply integrated into the curriculum, preparing students for meaningful, community-based careers.

These institutions are developing a regional talent pipeline rooted in values-based education.  These students are already stepping into roles across healthcare, law, business, and public service with deep ties to the communities they serve.

Building Through Belonging: What Research Shows

As an educational psychologist and consultant with over twenty years of experience designing student development programs, I’ve seen the transformational power of purpose-driven education across every type of institution. When students are given structured opportunities to engage with their communities through internships, legal aid initiatives, or service-learning experiences, they begin to understand leadership as a process grounded in connection and contribution.

This mirrors findings from my dissertation on first-generation college students studying at a distance (Henlon, 2025). Participants described how mentorship, peer collaboration, and opportunities for engagement deepened their academic motivation and shaped their sense of purpose. Their stories reinforced a central truth: students thrive when they feel seen, supported, and connected to a mission larger than themselves.

Recent peer-reviewed studies support the idea that service-centered education drives academic success and personal well-being for students across diverse backgrounds.

• Do et al. (2024) demonstrated that students participating in service-learning during their first year of college experienced higher retention rates, increased GPAs, and stronger long-term outcomes, especially for underrepresented students.
  
• Kurtovic, Vrdoljak, and Hirnstein (2021) found that adolescent students engaged in volunteerism and mentorship reported greater academic performance and reduced symptoms of depression. These outcomes were influenced primarily by improved self-regulation and a clearer sense of purpose.
  
• López (2024) emphasized the role of collectivist values and critical consciousness in strengthening the academic identity of Latinx students, particularly in learning environments where justice and service are integrated into the curriculum.

These findings affirm what Orange County is putting into practice: community-engaged education strengthens academic outcomes and cultivates leaders prepared to serve in meaningful ways.

A Model for the Future

Orange County’s educational ecosystem is cultivating future leaders through a commitment to experiential learning, equity, and service. The efforts of FSU, FAMU, and UCF represent a model that other regions can learn from. Their graduates are entering careers in health, law, business, and advocacy with deep ties to the people and places they’ve served.

As educators, consultants, and community leaders, our task is to expand these opportunities, embedding a sense of belonging and civic engagement throughout the student journey, from enrollment to orientation, and from active status to graduation, and beyond.  Opportunities for engagement should encompass the classroom and the community.

Learn more about the State of the County address: Orange County State of the County 2025

References

Do, K., Kline, K., Caruso, M., & Al-Rasheed, A. (2024). Community engagement, service learning, and underrepresented college student success: An examination of multiple cohorts. Analyses of Social Issues & Public Policy. https://doi.org/10.1111/asap.12408

Henlon, J. (2025). Exploring the learning experiences of online first-generation college students participating in virtual extracurricular activities (Publication No. 32114979) [Doctoral dissertation, Capella University]. ProQuest Dissertations & Theses. https://www.proquest.com/docview/3217854749

Kurtovic, A., Vrdoljak, G., & Hirnstein, M. (2021). Contribution to family, friends, school, and community is associated with fewer depression symptoms in adolescents – mediated by self-regulation and academic performance. Frontiers in Psychology, 11. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.615249

López, N. (2023). “Hold up”: Linking Collectivism to Critical Consciousness in the Academic Identity Development of Latinx/a/o College Students. Journal of Latinos and Education, 23(2), 628–641. https://doi.org/10.1080/15348431.2023.2173200 

Photo credit: image by Kampus Production

About the Author

Dr. Jessica Henlon is an educational psychologist, consultant, and speaker specializing in student belonging, leadership development, and inclusive engagement systems. Through Dr. Jessica Henlon Consulting Co., she partners with learning institutions, nonprofits, and creative professionals to build values-based programs that align strategy with purpose. Learn more: www.jessicahenlon.com